What's the problem with plastic toothbrushes?
A frequently found object on the beach is the plastic toothbrush. If you think about the fact that we all change our toothbrush every three months, the number of toothbrushes we use and then throw away is enormous. And that while plastic toothbrushes are not recyclable. The first plastic toothbrush was produced in 1930, during the early days of the plastic revolution. That means that every toothbrush that was produced in 1930 and was not incinerated, can still be found somewhere as waste.
Fortunately, there are more and more manufacturers and people who wonder if brushing our teeth is also possible without plastic. Before the plastic revolution, toothbrushes were also made of natural materials, so that it is possible has been proven long ago.
Why bamboo toothbrushes?
Bamboo toothbrushes clean your teeth just as well as a plastic toothbrush, but do not contribute to the growing plastic soup. If your bamboo toothbrush accidentally ends up in nature, it is largely biodegradable.
We are not there yet, because the bristles of the toothbrushes are still made of organic nylon (free of BPA and petroleum). Bioplastic is also a form of plastic, which we do not support in principle because it is difficult to recycle and does not break down well in nature. The only available material that is biodegradable is pig hair. This is not a solution for the manufacturer and Zo Zero, because we love animals. In our opinion, this is currently the best available product.
Why is bamboo so sustainable?
Did you know that bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world? There are over 1500 types of bamboo. At Zo Zero you will find toothbrushes made from Moso bamboo, a type that is not eaten by pandas. A big advantage of bamboo is that no artificial irrigation, pesticides and other chemicals are used in the bamboo cultivation of the toothbrushes.
Bamboo may look like wood, but it is a type of grass that grows like a weed. It absorbs dioxide and gives off more oxygen than many types of trees. There is little waste left over from the production of bamboo. For example, the roots are used as food, the thicker pieces for making furniture and the smaller pieces for making toothbrushes and chopsticks, for example. Read all about it in the blog from The Bamboo Brush Society.
What are the benefits of sustainable toothbrushes?
- The sustainable toothbrush ensures less plastic waste
- The sustainable toothbrush cleans your teeth just as well as a plastic toothbrush
- The sustainable toothbrush does not contain any toxic substances that are bad for your health, unlike plastic toothbrushes
- Bamboo is a fast growing renewable resource that grows without chemical agents
- Bamboo has antibacterial properties
- The fact that bamboo toothbrushes look nice is a bonus!
Which sustainable toothbrushes can't you find at Zo Zero?
At Zo Zero you will not find bamboo toothbrushes made with pig hair. The brands we sell, Hydrophil and The Bamboo Brush Society, do not use animal materials. The bamboo toothbrushes in our range are therefore plant-based and not tested on animals.
The complete range at Zo Zero
Would you also like to make the rest of your oral hygiene more sustainable? natural oral care products? That's possible, we have everything you need for well-groomed and clean teeth: natural toothpaste for children and adults, mouthwash and dental floss.
